Business Details
30 Years
experience
Your Trusted Fishing Charter in Cortez, FL
Anna Maria Fishing Guide has been providing expert fishing charters since 1996, offering personalized experiences on Florida's Gulf Coast. Our founder, Anna Maria Fishing Guide, grew up on Anna Maria Island and brings decades of local knowledge to every excursion. We specialize in inshore and nearshore fishing for species like snook, tarpon, redfish, and seatrout, using techniques refined through years of guiding. Our fleet includes a 24' Carolina Skiff for shallow waters and a 26' Sea Cat catamaran for offshore adventures, both equipped with modern safety gear. We prioritize sustainable practices, adhering to catch-and-release regulations while ensuring clients experience the thrill of Florida fishing.Our team's expertise in reading tides and fish behavior consistently delivers productive outings. All necessary equipment and bait are provided, eliminating the need for clients to bring gear. We maintain USCG licensing and full insurance for client safety and peace of mind. Our reports and photos showcase real-time fishing conditions and recent catches. Located in Cortez, we serve Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Anna Maria Island waters.
Services
Inshore Fishing Charters
Offshore Fishing Excursions
Tarpon Fishing Tours
Snook & Redfish Guided Trips
Group Fishing Adventures
Details
- Year established: 1996
Highlights and features
- USCG-licensed captain with 25+ years of local fishing expertise
- Dual-boat fleet for inshore and offshore conditions
- All gear, bait, and safety equipment provided
- Real-time fishing reports and photo documentation
- Commitment to sustainable catch-and-release practices
What people say
Expert local knowledge
Consistent fish catches
Family-friendly atmosphere
Professional equipment provided
Detailed fishing reports
Services
Inshore Fishing Charters
Explore Tampa Bay's backwaters targeting snook, redfish, and seatrout in less than 5' of water. Our 24' Carolina Skiff accesses prime shallow spots where fish ambush prey. Clients enjoy live bait and lure techniques while learning tidal patterns that drive fish behavior. This service accommodates families and beginners seeking productive, scenic excursions.
Offshore Fishing Excursions
Venture to nearshore wrecks and reefs for gag grouper, mangrove snapper, and cobia. Our 26' catamaran handles offshore conditions while targeting structures within 9 miles of Anna Maria Island. Clients experience trolling and bottom-fishing techniques for species that thrive around artificial habitats. This adventure suits anglers seeking trophy fish and diverse catches.
Tarpon Fishing Tours
Pursue Florida's iconic 'Silver King' during summer migrations using live shiners and specialized tackle. Captain Aaron locates rolling schools near passes and flats where tarpon breach dramatically. This service focuses on catch-and-release techniques for 100+lb fish while educating clients about conservation efforts. Ideal for anglers seeking adrenaline-pumping battles with acrobatic giants.
Snook & Redfish Guided Trips
Target trophy snook and redfish around mangrove edges, docks, and oyster bars using sight-fishing techniques. Our guides teach clients to read water movement and present baits effectively. This service emphasizes seasonal patterns affecting fish migration between backwaters and Gulf waters. Perfect for anglers wanting to master light-tackle tactics in scenic environments.
Group Fishing Adventures
Customizable full-day excursions for families, friends, or corporate groups. Our dual-boat fleet accommodates varying skill levels while targeting multiple species across different habitats. Clients receive personalized instruction while experiencing Florida's diverse marine ecosystems. Ideal for creating shared memories through hands-on fishing education.
People
Captain Aaron Lowman
Owner & Lead Guide
Born and raised on Anna Maria Island, Captain Aaron has guided full-time since 1996. He holds USCG Master's licensing and specializes in local inshore species. His 25+ years of experience combine generational knowledge with modern techniques for consistent success.
Questions
What fishing licenses do I need?
No fishing license required - all necessary permits are included with your charter.
What should I bring on the trip?
Bring sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a cooler for your catch. We provide all fishing gear, bait, and safety equipment.
What's the best time to fish?
Early morning charters (6-10 AM) typically produce best results, especially during summer heat and afternoon storms.
Do you accommodate beginners?
Absolutely! Our guides teach proper techniques and ensure a rewarding experience for all skill levels.
What's your cancellation policy?
We require 48-hour notice for cancellations to avoid full charges due to limited booking capacity.
Can we keep our catch?
We practice catch-and-release for protected species. You may keep fish within legal limits for personal consumption.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Devin Ponder
Jun 24, 2021
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We did a 6 hour inland charter with Aaron. It was great! Aaron did not waste a second of our time on the water. He ran us from spot to spot, helping us catch a good variety of fish (shark, sea trout, snook, mackerel, and more). Highly recommend and if we are ever back in the area, well be going with Aaron again!
William Pemberton
May 28, 2021
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Captain Aaron was great. Took my three boys 13, 11, and 6. Captain Aaron was very friendly and got us on fish the entire time. Thank you Captain Aaron.
Ryan Blundell
Feb 26, 2021
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Captain Aaron knows the area like the back of his hand and an expert at calculating tides, weather and fish patterns. We went out at 9:30AM for a four-hour inshore trip and caught quality fish every place we stopped. We caught snook, redfish and spotted seatrout. He works hard to be prepared including catching a TON of live bait before picking us up. Captain Aaron's expertise, skills and chill demeanor make him a top choice for fishing out of AMI. We will be booking again next trip, no question.
Raymond England
Jan 25, 2021
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Hands down #1 Capt to date. My wife and I have fished all over the world with close to 50 private captains and I can say this in all honesty he was the best to date. He has put the time in over the years and it shows. He is not afraid to move as much as he has to to put his clients on the fish. With the help of Capt and Aaron my wife put me to shame catching dozens of quality fish. Whether youre a family looking to have fun on the water for the day or a fishing junkie like myself he is 100% your man.
Matt Davis
Dec 24, 2020
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Great family fun! Capt Aaron worked hard the whole time to make sure we had a successful trip. And we did! Put us on fish right off the bat and stayed catching the whole time.
John Schroeder
Sep 29, 2020
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Captain Aaron is crazy awesome at knowing the best spots offshore and inshore. We caught fish at every spot! Seabass, grouper, snook, redfish, Jack, sea trout all in 4 hours! We had amazing fish dinner after he filet our keepers. Best trip on AMI ever!
Craig Lambert
Sep 07, 2020
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From the first cast I caught a barracuda. Such An amazing day. Aaron is knowledgeable and a ton of fun to fish with. His laid back style and expertise make for a stress relieving day. I cant count the number of fish we caught: snook, trout, mangrove snapper, lady fish...we wanted to go out further but the weather forbade that idea. Even though, this is one of the best fishing days I have had. Hope to come back and do more!
